Services

TeachingCounselingCoachingSpeakingWriting

TEACHING

My BS in Early Childhood/Elem Ed (1979) and MEd in Educational Leadership (2007) equipped me well for the K-12 teaching environment whether in the classroom or administrator’s office. Decades of experience in private, public, and international schools (2005-2011) gave me insights about how education truly makes a difference across the globe.

I agree with Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education at U.S. Department of Education when he said, “Teaching has never been easy, and it never will be. Teachers are our nation builders—the strength of every profession in our country grows out of the knowledge and skills that teachers help to instill in our children.”

In all my years as a professional educator, I never wondered if my work mattered, made a difference. Whether with a energetic five year old or self-proclaimed fully-empowered high school senior, I pressed on with or without their invitation to present new information. Something, somehow, in some child every single day on the job could ignite a thought, connect a learning strand in the brain, or inspire a new way of behaving and therefore make for a worthwhile work day.

Today, my classroom is less structured. I may be the older, wiser woman encouraging a young mothers’ Bible study, spending time with my granddaughters on vacation, mentoring a young couple, or advising a millennial professional just beginning his/her career. I am also the Mid-America Regional Director for American Home Life International and help place international students in Christian host families while they attend U.S. high schools. I look for opportunities to continue to learn and to teach others to Learn to Live Well.

COUNSELING

Years of involvement with women, children, couples, and families through small groups and school connections led me to pursue formal academic training in counseling at Liberty University. I pioneered the counseling/college admissions office at my community Christian school in 1998 where I had been the kindergarten teacher for years while working on the MA in Professional Counseling degree (2001). Through my local church, I continued to meet personally with people wanting freedom from present pain and desiring a Christian context for their exploration and healing. My pastor husband and I trained with Prepare/Enrich materials to help couples preparing for marriage and we continue to offer this service today through our local church.

Counseling requires the counselor to join a person’s journey, typically at a juncture of pain or dissatisfaction with life. The job entails discovery of the sources of hindrance, of unanswered questions, or avoided reflection on past life events that now threaten present and future contentment and personal efficacy.

Counselors offer themselves as those (hopefully) enjoying present emotional health to serve as sources of strength and encouragement. As the client peels back scar tissue or carefully erected barriers to identify the deep wound root, he/she needs support. He/she needs outside discernment to sort the more objective truth from the self-imposed subjective truth about guilt, shame, failure, and inadequacies.

When I counsel, I recognize my own dependence on the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to guide each client. Counseling offers a powerful opportunity to help others Learn to Live Well.

COACHING

After years of studying and practicing counseling, I thought coaching would be another form of the same skill. I was wrong. I completed my life coaching training with Creative Results Management using the same competencies recognized by the International Coach Federation (largest coaching organization worldwide) in 2013. I found this training one of the most personally invigorating exercises I have ever encountered, graduate study included.

Coaching is an ongoing conversation that empowers a person or team to fully live out God’s calling – in his/her life and profession. The goal of coaching is to listen, listen to the client and listen to the Holy Spirit. What results is discovery of new things and motivation to take action that will reshape life around that learning. The coaching relationship is expected to produce insights, greater personal awareness, changed behaviors, actions, and ultimately results that satisfy the client.

Coaching is about learning – rather than teaching. The client is the expert on his/her life. The coach uses coaching techniques such as active listening, open questions, encouragement, challenges to present thinking, and always remaining supportive. All these methods are meant to assist the client in discovering insights and taking next steps.

Coaching is about action – client action and client success! Coaching clients demonstrate step-by-step that they are Learning to Live Well in new ways. I absolutely love to coach clients and watch the progress achieved.

SPEAKING

Before moving to Afghanistan in 2005, my speaking engagements focused on education seminars with some Christian women’s groups mixed in. Since returning from overseas, I have been asked frequently to share my experiences in Kabul. In addition to comments on the endorsement page, here is a speaking summary provided by a professional writer/speaker friend:

“Gail Goolsby’s passion to help others learn to live well fuels every speaking presentation and writing project. Whether sharing a faith-inspired message with a church group, an education-themed program with an academic or parent audience, or an international-awareness presentation, Gail’s words promote the balanced health of body, mind, and spirit. Her talks are infused with the same motivational tips she practices one on one with coaching and counseling clients. She captivates attendees with humor and emotion to deliver wisdom through the art of storytelling. Her diverse life experiences, many overseas in volatile scenarios, is fodder for articles, speeches, and even a book.”

WRITING

I have always loved stories, reading and telling them. Books are more precious to me than many other possessions and my children (and now grandchildren) know the same love. Some of my most loved book series appear on the “favorites” link on this site.

Following my return from Afghanistan in 2012, I was challenged to park my unique collection of experiences and memories from those seven years living and traveling overseas in written form. I entered the fuzzy world of the writing industry and all the non-writing efforts that go with growing a platform to attract a publisher for my now finished manuscript No Place for a Woman: My Seven Years in Afghanistan.

I was fortunate to meet a wonderful book coach (Kathy Carlton Willis) at a writer’s conference who walked me through the fuzz with great encouragement. She referred me to a book agent (Steve Hutson of WordWise Media Services) who is now helping me obtain a contract for the book. In the meantime I am writing, writing, writing. Kindergarten tales, great lessons from my coaching/counseling practices and my very own beloved family adventures have given me much to write about, laughing and crying as I type.

Here are some places you can find my articles and guest blogs. Subscribe to my blog here at Learn to Live Well.

NEWS

endorsements

Gail and I worked together at St. Joseph Christian School, where she was a teacher and guidance counselor, and I was an administrator. Gail was mission-driven and passionate, and a highly effective educator. In 2005, Gail left our school to launch another school—the International School of Kabul, Afghanistan, where she served successfully as K-12 principal for 6.5 years. She’s a gifted teacher and administrator that gets the job done. I miss working with her!

Lydia – Mississippi

Gail is an excellent communicator, very clear with her message and at ease with an audience as well as individuals. She has great ideas and looks for ways to accomplish goals. I have always enjoyed her perspective and appreciate her willingness to respond to God's calling.

Sandy – Missouri

Gail is an excellent speaker and presenter. She communicates in the style most comfortable for the particular audience she is addressing at the time. Her clear message sprinkled with personal experiences is engaging and thought provoking. I am always thrilled to be able to attend a presentation by her!

Mary – Missouri

The concept of life coaching was new to me, but after talking with a trusted friend about her experience, I felt like it may be something that would be beneficial for me to pursue for professional leadership development. Gail provided me with a safe place to discuss challenges, create plans, develop strategies and increase my awareness. Read More

Nichole – Missouri

Living well is an act of faith taken one step at a time. Gail discovered that truth as a pastor's wife, mother, educator and counselor. As a life coach, she is unsurpassed in helping others discover the next right step in their lives. She helped me discover the next right step for my life.

Deborah – Missouri

Gail's coaching helped me to hone my direction and goals my senior year of college, a fairly tumultuous time in my life. Gail's insight and the accountability she provided helped me to accomplish more than I thought possible.

Celeste – Seattle

Gail’s my go-to friend when I have a problem and don’t know what to do. She’s a master at cutting through the chase—at getting to the heart of a matter. She skillfully (even cleverly!) get you to admit the truth to yourself, and then guides you into taking positive steps to move forward.

Lydia – Mississippi

Gail coached my two daughters through their junior/senior years of college. They wanted to successfully finish college and move into the next phase of life with minimal transitions. Having Gail coach them to be successful with their goals was paramount to their desire to not have "senioritis". They are both pleased with the path they are on and the accomplishment they feel.

Elizabeth – Kansas

Gail's unique life experiences combined with her professional expertise provide an extraordinary foundation for life coaching. Personally, Gail has encouraged me to grow from tragedy and disappointment. By modeling hope and perseverance, Gail gives others the courage to change and become stronger in the process.

Judy – Missouri

Gail has been my life-coach. She has asked pointed (relevant) questions that made me think and process things in new ways. Gail’s professionalism (as a life-coach) and supportive interest in me have helped me greatly. With Gail’s help it was easier to walk in the darkness (and wait for brighter days). Gail has spoken the truth with love into my life. Read More